Membership

Who can participate?

People who identify as women and non-binary individuals can join the Circle as voting members.  Everyone is welcome to attend events, participate in educational opportunities, and encourage organizations to apply for grant funds.  Join us here. 

What are the giving levels?

We want to ensure that women of all income levels can participate in the Women’s Giving Circle. We have monthly and quarterly giving options so you can stretch your donation throughout the year.  These are yearly membership dues.  

Giving Levels:

$1200

$600

$300

$120

$60 (student rate)

 

Who can serve on the Steering Committee?

Active members of the Women’s Giving Circle of Missoula County will be eligible to serve on the Steering Committee.  Members are asked to commit to terms of service of three years in length and may serve two consecutive terms without reapplying.  Members must take a year off before reapplying.  Members who serve on the Steering Committee will also serve on one of our four sub-committees; Policies & Procedures, Events, or Membership, and Marketing.  Members who are not on the Steering Committee are welcome to serve on any of the sub-committees.  

The term year is January 1 – December 31.  The application period is open from October 15 – December 31.


Will the Giving Circle be its own entity?

No, the Women’s Giving Circle is a program of the Missoula Community Foundation.

If we raise more than $10,000 per grant cycle, what will happen to the extra funds?

The more money we receive from members, the more collective impact we can have.  Each year, we will award two small grants to the “runner’s up” who give final presentations at the annual meeting.  Any funds over grants given out will be rolled over to the following year’s grant cycle. 

Does the Giving Circle have a specific focus?

Our members choose the focus for each grant cycle. This allows the membership to stay current on needs in the community and to remain agile to respond to emergent situations.  

      • 2022 Grant Focus = Indigenous Issues
      • 2021 Grant Focus = Housing and/or Homelessness
      • 2020 Grant Focus = Social and/or Racial Justice
      • 2020 COVID-19 Response Grant = Emergency Housing 
      • 2019 Grant Focus = Environment
      • 2018 Grant Focus = Women or Children

Grant Applicants and Nonprofits

 

What type of projects will be funded?

The focus area is determined by the membership for each grant cycle.  For information on past grants, please visit our Grants page.  

 

How can my organization apply?

Please visit our Grants page for more information. 

Who can apply for a grant?

To be eligible to receive a grant from the Women’s Giving Circle, organizations must:

        • Have a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.  Fiscally sponsored organizations are welcome to apply.  
        • Maintain a primary office within Missoula County. Preference will be given to organizations that provide a majority of services to people within Missoula County.
        • Have in place or adopt an inclusive non-discrimination policy.  Sample policies are available upon request. 
        • Not have received funding from the WGC in the previous grant cycle.  
        • Not use WGC funds for events or scholarships.

Preference will be given to projects, programs, or organizations that address a need in the community that is not already being met.  

Can businesses participate in the Giving Circle?

Businesses have the opportunity to sponsor the Women’s Giving Circle of Missoula County. They are not able to vote for the winning nonprofit, but a portion of their contribution will go to the grant recipient. If you are a business sponsor and also an individual member of the circle, you are able to vote.

Click here for the Business Partnership information.  

For more information on business involvement contact the Missoula Community Foundation, info@MissoulaCommunityFoundation.org or call 406-926-2846.